During September, people who own property in Mexico can have a testamentary Will prepared at a discount. If you own real estate in Mexico and do not have a will, upon your death the Mexican government will liquidate your estate and distribute your assets according to state inheritance laws. If you rely on a foreign will, your heirs will have to navigate a complicated process of probating the will in your home country, then translating and verifying that will to the satisfaction of Mexican courts. This process can take years to complete and the property cannot be sold in the meantime. A Mexican will gives you control over your estate and allows you to determine who inherits your property upon your death.
If you own Mexican real estate and are going to have a Mexican Will prepared or revised in September, please consider following the example of other friends of Amigos by including a bequest to Amigos. It is one way to support our vital work in the community.
You can also help ensure Amigos’ sustainability by becoming an annual or monthly donor to our U.S. counterpart, Amigos de los Animales de Guanajuato, Inc., which is a 501(c)3 public charity. We have two new donor categories, called Queridos Amigos (Dear Friends) and Amigos Leales (Loyal Friends). Queridos Amigos donate USD $1200 per year, either as a single donation or $100 per month. Amigos Leales make monthly or annual donations of any amount. Of course, we appreciate every donation, whether it is recurring or not.
If you are receiving Required Minimum Distributions from a U.S. retirement account, your gift to Amigos will qualify as a Qualified Charitable Distribution if you so choose, and you get the benefit of using pre-tax dollars.